Unofficial Christ's Hospital Forum

Rex wrote:

icomefromalanddownunder wrote:Surely Cathy counts as a celebrity?

kerrensimmonds wrote:And yes I did forget Catherine (sorry!)

Forgive me, but I'm so seldom around on this forum anymore: who is Cathy, and why is she a celebrity?

Is she the organist Catherine Ennis (6's 65-71), who later taught at Horsham?

Now there is an awful DR story, when Cathy left after the LV1. I've written a bit about it before, but it's not really my story to tell.

I'd love to read the Paula Neuss book - does anyone have a copy? I can offer references for prompt return in immaculate condition - from Mary Lynch? Or Frances?

The book sounds so interesting.

Talking of surgeons - You all know my razor sharp wit !

I'm due to have yet another hand operation in December.

When in consultation with the surgeon, he said.... 'I may need a plastic surgeon to complete the operation'

I replied, 'I'd much rather have a real one !!'

Luckily my surgeon is young and has a similar sense of humour to me - Not something usually found amongst the surgeon-fraternity !

Yes I do have a copy of Paula Neuss's book 'All Girls Together'. I bought it recently on Amazon, after discussion about it emerged on this Forum. Although I had read it when first published I am only half way through at the moment. If no-one else can lend you a copy Angela and you can wait a bit, you are welcome to borrow mine?

Oh! Thank you Kerren! Please put me on the waiting list, and I promise to take great care of the book.

Paula Neuss sounds a tremendously interesting woman.

Please can I join the queue for Paula's book - did you get the last one on Amazon, Kerren? I couldn't find it when I searched, I could be just incompetent! Having been in 2s, it probably resonates more with you than it will with us!

It's a second hand copy (no longer in print) and I must just have been lucky - I think there were two available at the time. Mind you, it cost me £30 - original cover price something like £2.75!
When I have finished re-reading it I will be happy to lend it to Angela, then she can pass it to you?
NB you should be aware that it was written by someone with a very warped mind. It is not just thinly veiled Hertford, it definitely IS Hertford, with clearly identifiable characters whose names (in the novel) are equally identifiable. What does NOT resonate is the behaviour of these characters, in the novel......

Ooh, Kerren!

Now I can't wait!

I have your address, Katharine, so could send the book straight on to you if that's OK?

Katharine wrote:Please can I join the queue for Paula's book

Katharine, I could lend you mine if you like - I'm a bit pushed for time today (preparing for visit from two exuberant grandchildren) but could put it in the post tomorrow, probably. Given the postal chaos I can't predict when it will arrive!

I have to say that Paula wasn't too good at writing dialogue, and it's an extremely introspective work. But it's how she remembered feeling at a particular, very distressing point in her CH life, and more than a little empathy is needed if you've been fortunate enough never to have experienced clinical depression. I believe she wrote it as a kind of explanation for someone, though he/she would have needed to be pretty perceptive IMO!

Anyway, let me know if you'd like me to send it.

Thanks Annie, I have sent you a pm with my address.

And Elizabeth Glen (4's, 61-67) is a published author :-

http://www.lizzieballagher.com/index.htm

Lizzie Glen was Deputy Head Girl when I first started at CH. She must have been studying English because I remember her taking a lesson once when Miss Champion was ill, and I think we reviewed a poem with her. She must have stayed on to do Oxbridge but she doesn't mention on her website which (if either) she went to - though she doesn't mention CH either, only Hertford. Her sister Alison, a couple of years younger, was in 5s but was bit more of a rebel, I think.

It looks as though she went to the University of Ulster

Other distinguished OBs are the Sussex and England cricketer of the 70's John Snow and Rupert Thomson the author of 8 novels to date with another coming out next spring.

Absolutely. Can't speak highly enough of John Snow. One of his sisters was at Hertford, and is now a friend of mine. I have spent many years visiting their mum, also a Hertford Old Blue, who moved to my current Church donkeys years ago, when her husband retired from ministry in Bognor. Sad to relate that she died this week, aged 98. There is an unnamed reference to her on another thread on this Forum.

I saw John Snow bowl on an Old Blues Day, on "England" v. CH
I assume, he was at "Half Speed" and being "Kind" -------- WOW !!!

A sad loss.